In Flames Sign To Koch Records

Swedish metallers IN FLAMES have inked a deal with Koch Records for the North American release of their new album, "A Sense of Purpose". Due on April 1 (April 7 in most of Europe via Nuclear Blast), the follow-up to 2006's "Come Clarity" was recorded at the band's own IF Studios in Gothenburg, Sweden and was mixed by Toby Wright (METALLICA, SLAYER). The group received assistance during the vocal-recording sessions from producer Daniel Bergstrand, who previously produced the vocals on "Reroute To Remain", "Soundtrack To Your Escape" and "Come Clarity". All artwork for the album was created by Alex Pardee for ZeroFriends. Alex also created the artwork for the first single, "The Mirror's Truth".

"Adding a band at the level of IN FLAMES to the Koch roster shows our commitment to the metal genre," said the label's VP of Metal Scott Givens. "They are poised to be one of the biggest metal bands in the world and we are thrilled to be chosen to help them make it happen."

"A Sense of Purpose" track listing:

01. The Mirror's Truth02. Disconnected03. Sleepless Again04. Alias05. I'm the Highway06. Delight and Angers07. Move Through Me08. The Chosen Pessimist09. Sober and Irrelevant10. Condemned11. Drenched In Fear12. March To The Shore

"We are extremely happy with the end result and so proud of what we have achieved with the new album and can't wait for you all to hear it," the band says in a statement.

IN FLAMES will release a the "The Mirror’s Truth" single on March 7 via Nuclear Blast Records. The European-only release will contain the following tracks:

01. The Mirror's Truth02. Eraser *03. Tilt *04 Abnegation *

* Exclusive non-album tracks

A new IN FLAMES track, entitled "Abnegation", is featured on the "Viva La Bands, Vol. 2" album, which was released on September 4, 2007 via Ferret Music and Filthy Note Records. The CD features exclusive tracks, written and recorded for the CD/DVD combo from some of Bam's favorite acts like CLUTCH, CKY, CHILDREN OF BODOM, VIKING SKULL and VAINS OF JENNA. A U.S.-exclusive track from SHINY TOY GUNS and music from other faves like GWAR, THE SOUNDS, DIMMU BORGIR and KILL HANNAH also appears on the compilation.

IN FLAMES, CHILDREN OF BODOM, JOB FOR A COWBOY and HIGH ON FIRE will play this year's Gigantour in North America beginning mid-April and running through the end of May. Headlining the trek will be MEGADETH.

I do hope that they can put out an album that really shocks me in a good way. I haven't been caught up in their stuff lately, so I do hope that they can keep me listening like they have with past records.I just don't want this to be another mediocre record like CC and STYE. I know they can write better songs.